Jaime Gilinski Bacal

Jaime Gilinski Bacal
Born	(1957-12-14) December 14, 1957 Colombia
Occupation(s)	Banker, investor, real estate developer
Years active	1990s–present
Known for	Second wealthiest individual in Colombia (2025), principal shareholder of Banco Sabadell, majority owner of Metro Bank, owner of Grupo Nutresa and Grupo Sura stakes
Spouse	Raquel Gilinski
Children	4

Jaime Gilinski Bacal (born December 14, 1957) is a Colombian banker, investor, and real estate developer currently residing in Panama. As reported by Forbes, he ranks as Colombia's second wealthiest individual, with an estimated net worth of US$10.7 billion as of 2025.

Early life

He is the son of Isaac Gilinski Sragowicz, a banker whose family roots trace back to Lithuanian Jewish immigrants.

Gilinski completed a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering at Georgia Tech in 1978, followed by an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1980.

Banking and investments

During the 1990s, Gilinski acquired the Colombian operations of BCCI after its collapse, rebranding the institution as Banco Andino. Within four years, it emerged as one of the most efficient banks in Colombia and was sold for about $70 million.

Subsequently, his family acquired Banco de Colombia for $365 million through the largest privatization event in the country at that time. Prominent private equity firms such as Morgan Stanley Asset Management, George Soros, and Tiger Management partnered with Gilinski in this investment. The bank was eventually sold to Banco Industrial Colombiano and Sindicato Antioqueño for $800 million. Gilinski received $418 million from this transaction while maintaining a minority interest. By 2018, Bancolombia had become Colombia’s largest bank, boasting a market capitalization of $11 billion on the NYSE.

In 2003, Gilinski orchestrated the merger of Banco Sudameris and Banco Tequendama to establish GNB Sudameris, which held assets exceeding US$16 billion by 2018. The group grew further through acquisitions including Servibanca—an ATM network—and Suma Valores, a brokerage firm.

HSBC divested its Latin American units in May 2012, selling operations in Colombia, Peru, and Paraguay to Banco GNB Sudameris for $400 million.

In September 2013, Gilinski became the principal shareholder of Banco Sabadell during a capital increase raising US$1.8 billion. His investment amounted to approximately $500 million. Banco Sabadell ranks as Spain’s fifth-largest bank with assets surpassing US$220 billion and controls a 13% market share.

The Gilinski Group also holds ownership of Yupi, a snack food manufacturer distributing products across nine Latin American countries, as well as Rimax Plastics, a company founded by his father Isaac Gilinski.

By December 2019, Gilinski had acquired the largest stake in Metro Bank at 6.1%, which he increased to 9% by May 2020 via Spaldy Investments, based in the British Virgin Islands.

In November 2021, collaborating with investors from Abu Dhabi, Gilinski launched a takeover bid for Grupo Nutresa—one of Latin America’s leading food processing companies—and simultaneously initiated a tender offer for up to 31.5% of Grupo Sura, a significant financial conglomerate. After multiple bids spanning eighteen months, an agreement was finalized allowing Gilinski’s group to acquire no less than 87% of Grupo Nutresa in exchange for shares in Grupo Sura. By April 2024, ownership had risen to 99.38%. Grupo Nutresa’s market value was approximately US$14 billion in 2024. These entities form part of GEA—a management-controlled consortium consisting of Grupo Sura, Grupo Nutresa, and Grupo Argos—that collectively represent around 8% of Colombia’s GDP.

In October 2023, Gilinski secured majority control of Metro Bank with an ownership stake close to 53%.

Real estate

Together with London & Regional Properties, Gilinski spearheaded the development of the Panama Pacifico mixed-use business and residential complex located in Veracruz, near Panama City. Jaime Gilinski, alongside partners Ian and Richard Livingstone, secured the project by prevailing over 16 international competitors in a bidding process. The site, formerly known as Howard Air Force Base, covers an extensive area, placing it among the world's most significant development initiatives.

Philanthropy

During the 1990s, while Jaime Gilinski served as chairman of Banco de Colombia, the Gilinski family contributed US$8 million to Fundacion Santa Fe. This organization supports Santa Fe Hospital in Bogotá, recognized as Colombia's leading medical facility in terms of technological advancement.

Gilinski leads Capital Projects for The Chabad House at Harvard University, a Jewish student group providing educational and social programming. Additionally, through the Jaime and Raquel Gilinski Endowment, he offers support to Harvard's David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies.

Jaime and Raquel have founded a fellowship at Harvard Business School aimed at MBA candidates from Colombia and Panama, with a preference extended to applicants from other Latin American countries.

In 2022, they pledged a multimillion-dollar donation to Mount Sinai Health System’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science. This contribution established the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Department, financing capital improvements and renovations designed to advance women's healthcare services at The Mount Sinai Hospital.

Personal life

Jaime Gilinski is married to Raquel Gilinski, and together they have four children. The family primarily resides in Panama and holds additional real estate assets in Miami and Colombia.

External links

• JGB Bank Website